STATE BAR AND BOARD MEMBER TENENBAUM RESOLVE ELECTION ISSUES

San Francisco, February 17, 2009 — Holly Fujie, President of the State Bar of California, is pleased to announce that the State Bar and Board of Governors member Michael Tenenbaum have constructively resolved the issues that arose following Tenenbaum’s successful election to the board in July 2008.

Tenenbaum’s election had been challenged by three attorneys in District 6, including one of the unsuccessful candidates, based on claims relating to the location of Tenenbaum’s principal office for the practice of law. A special board committee determined that the challenge did not have merit, and Tenenbaum was seated and has been serving as a member of the board.

A lawsuit that Tenenbaum had filed prior to the committee’s determination to certify his election will now be voluntarily dismissed by Tenenbaum. The board plans to place the review of its election procedures on the agenda of an upcoming meeting.

“We are very pleased that this is now completely behind us, and we look forward to Michael’s continuing advice and service on the board,” Fujie said.

Tenenbaum said he looked forward to helping the board reform the provisions that led to the confusion following his election, adding, “I am committed to constructively continuing my work on the Board of Governors and to maintaining my full focus on the issues of efficiency and accountability that are now proving to be as critical as ever.”

Founded in 1927 by the state legislature, the State Bar of California is an administrative arm of the California Supreme Court, serving the public and seeking to improve the justice system for more than 80 years. All lawyers practicing law in California must be members of the State Bar. By February, membership reached more than 221,800.